Mating behavior?

[AmandaLou]

My poor baby….. is this normal or did our roo get aggressive in a non mating fashion?! We didn’t see it happen….not really bloody or cut…. Just looks to be swollen and her feathers are gone…..

 

[azygous]

Not normal mating behavior. I've witnessed a rooster in my own flock doing shocking damage to a hen that refused his attentions. He chased her into the coop, cornered her, and proceeded to rip the skin and feathers off the back of her head. I got to them just in time to see him facing her as she was backed into the corner, drenched in blood, about to do even more damage.

Not wishing to get rid of the rooster since he is otherwise well-behaved and this was an isolated incident, I instead segregated the hen and never allowed the rooster any further access to her. I had no doubts that he was capable of killing her in the rage he was in.